Auto HouseAutoToolsMiscellany

Replacing Spark Plugs

To keep your car's engine running efficiently, the spark plugs and, if necessary, spark plug wires, should be changed at their maintenance interval. Old and worn out spark plugs lead to weak combustion which robs your car of power and fuel efficiency. Depending on what vehicle you drive, doing a spark plug job can be anywhere from easy to difficult.


Always follow the factory recommended maintenance interval found in your owner's manual when servicing your vehicle.

Instructions and photos courtesy of Andrew and Peter.

The Patient
The car featured in this spark plug how-to article is a 1999 Nissan Altima, the same one as can be seen here. This car has four spark plugs located on the top of the engine, making this one of the easiest spark plug jobs you will ever find!

Before you begin you will need to gather the tools and parts necessary to change the spark plugs. In this case we will need:
  • Four spark plugs for this vehicle (OEM/NGK recommended)
  • Dialectic Grease
  • Anti-Seize Compound
  • Spark Plug socket (a spark plug socket has special padding to protect the porcelain section of the spark plug)
  • Ratchet with long (at least 6") extension
  • Spark Plug gap tool (wire loop type recommended for platinum plugs)

1. Clean the Area around the spark plugs so that when the plugs are removed no dirt or debris will get into the engine.
2. Pull the Spark Plug Wire Boot straight up and off the first spark plug. You may have to twist it back and forth while pulling up to free the boot from the end of the spark plug. Always make sure that you pull on the boot and NOT the wire! (Fig. A)
3. Insert the Spark Plug Socket and remove the spark plug. (Fig. B)
4. Clean the Spark Plug Wire Boot with a clean rag. (Fig. C)5. Gap the New Spark Plug to the specified gap (0.042").
Note on gapping spark plugs: If you have "Double Platinum" type spark plugs you need to be very careful when gapping them. You can very easily break the platinum tip off the ground electrode!

6. Apply Anti-Seize Compound to the spark plug threads. This will keep the spark plugs from getting stuck in the engine. (Fig. D)
7. Install the New Spark Plug. Start by fully seating the spark plug into the spark plug socket, this way the socket will hold the spark plug and prevent it from falling and bending the ground electrode. Once it starts to thread properly, tighten it to its proper torque rating (between 14 and 22 ft. lbs.). If you do not have access to a torque wrench, tighten the spark plug to where you have to start putting a little bit of force into the wrench, then another quarter to half turn. It should not be over tightened and 14-22 ft. lbs does not require much effort when using a ratchet. (Fig. E)
8. Apply Dialectic Grease to the spark plug wire boot. (Fig. F)9. Install the Wire Boot by pressing it firmly down onto the spark plug.
10. Continue Until All the Spark Plugs Have Been Changed. Work on one plug at a time to avoid mixing up the spark plug wires.

Summary
  1. Remove spark plug wire boot from spark plug.
  2. Remove old spark plug.
  3. Gap new spark plug.
  4. Apply anti-seize to spark plug threads.
  5. Install new spark plug.
  6. Apply dialectic grease to spark plug wire boot.
  7. Install spark plug wire boot.

Conclusion
The reason replacing spark plugs on this car is so easy is due to their easy accessibility. On other vehicles, especially 'V' type engines (i.e. V6, V8) the spark plugs can be difficult to reach. If you have a V6 front wheel drive car you will be able to reach 3 of the 6 plugs without a problem, but the other 3 will be hard.
Changing spark plugs is one of those iconic jobs that comes to mind when a "tune-up" is mentioned. In this case it was a quick, easy, and inexpensive job and was worth doing.



Relevant Sites
Here is an external link to a site with information relevant to this article.

8 comments:

Garage Equipment January 9, 2013 at 5:20 AM  

Put a very small amount of anti-seize lubricant on the plug threads if you are installing them in an aluminum engine. The anti-seize prevents a reaction between dissimilar metals.

Unknown February 1, 2017 at 1:09 PM  

Some drivers make repairs on their own so, we advise car owners before jumping into a do-it-yourself repair. For example, drivers should always read their owner's manual before assuming their check engine light problems are due to the spark plugs. Also, be careful with the ignition coils since these parts connect to the spark plugs as well. Great outline for replacing spark plugs though!

fortywinks32 July 2, 2018 at 4:19 AM  

This is a nice and informative, containing all information and also has a great impact on the new technology. Thanks for sharing it

beds
bed
mattress
mattresses

Meerconsultants August 21, 2020 at 1:19 PM  

Very useful post, i think amazing content is very Useful for any website to attract people.
Ac Repair in Islamabad,

RobertNelson August 1, 2021 at 1:00 PM  

Very significant Information for us, I have think the representation of this Information is actually superb one. This is my first visit to your site. Grout Repair

Unknown August 7, 2021 at 6:39 AM  

Superior Dishwasher repair in Dubai Here visit now https://www.hometech.ae/dishwasher-repair-in-dubai/

Trane March 25, 2022 at 1:43 PM  

Great post!! This can be one particular of the most useful blogs We’ve ever arrive across on this subject. Thank you for this blog.
Visit Events Cooling Solutions UAE Trane works in partnership with well-known event management companies, utilizing our experience in temporary cooling/temperature. Event planning starts with choosing the right HVAC equipment.

Anonymous,  March 27, 2022 at 12:08 AM  

LEGIT FULLZ & TOOLS STORE

Hello to All !

We are offering all types of tools & Fullz on discounted price.
If you are in search of anything regarding fullz, tools, tutorials, Hack Pack, etc
Feel Free to contact

***CONTACT 24/7***
**Telegram > @leadsupplier
**ICQ > 752822040
**Skype > Peeterhacks
**Wicker me > peeterhacks

"SSN LEADS/FULLZ AVAILABLE"
"TOOLS & TUTORIALS AVAILABLE FOR HACKING, SPAMMING,
CARDING, CASHOUT, CLONING, SCRIPTING ETC"

**************************************
"Fresh Spammed SSN Fullz info included"
>>SSN FULLZ with complete info
>>CC With CVV Fullz USA
>>FULLZ FOR SBA, PUA & TAX RETURN FILLING
>>USA I.D Photos Front & Back
>>High Credit Score fullz (700+ Scores)
>>DL number, Employee Details, Bank Details Included
>>Complete Premium Info with Relative Info

***************************************
COMPLETE GUIDE FOR TUTORIALS & TOOLS

"SPAMMING" "HACKING" "CARDING" "CASH OUT"
"KALI LINUX" "BLOCKCHAIN BLUE PRINTS" "SCRIPTING"
"FRAUD BIBLE"

"TOOLS & TUTORIALS LIST"
=>Ethical Hacking Ebooks, Tools & Tutorials
=>Bitcoin Hacking
=>Kali Linux
=>Fraud Bible
=>RAT
=>Keylogger & Keystroke Logger
=>Whatsapp Hacking & Hacked Version of Whatsapp
=>Facebook & Google Hacking
=>Bitcoin Flasher
=>SQL Injector
=>Premium Logs (PayPal/Amazon/Coinbase/Netflix/FedEx/Banks)
=>Bitcoin Cracker
=>SMTP Linux Root
=>Shell Scripting
=>DUMPS with pins track 1 and 2 with & without pin
=>SMTP's, Safe Socks, Rdp's brute
=>PHP mailer
=>SMS Sender & Email Blaster
=>Cpanel
=>Server I.P's & Proxies
=>Viruses & VPN's
=>HQ Email Combo (Gmail, Yahoo, Hotmail, MSN, AOL, etc.)

*Serious buyers will always welcome
*Price will be reduce in bulk order
*Discount offers will gives to serious buyers
*Hope we do a great business together

===>Contact 24/7<===
==>Telegram > @leadsupplier
==>ICQ > 752822040
==>Skype > Peeterhacks
==>Wicker me > peeterhacks

  © Blogger templates The Professional Template by Ourblogtemplates.com 2008

Back to TOP